District Court Judge Kim Tucker named next Cumberland County clerk of court

Paul Woolverton Staff writer

Tuesday

Oct 29, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 29, 2013 at 7:10 AM

Cumberland County District Court Judge Kim Tucker was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Clerk of Court Linda Priest, who is retiring Thursday.

Tucker's first day on the job is Friday.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons announced his appointment Monday during a news conference at the Cumberland County Courthouse.

"For the next clerk, I needed to find someone who cares about our community, understands our court system and has the legal and business knowledge to manage the office of the clerk," Ammons said. "After considerable deliberation, I believe there is no one that fits that description more than District Court Judge Kim Tucker."

The announcement drew about 35 people, including lawyers, court staff and some of the county's highest elected officials. But incumbent Priest did not attend; her office said she had a conflicting appointment that had long been scheduled and could not be adjusted.

Tucker, a former trial court administrator for the Superior Court judges' office, is to serve the remaining year of Priest's term. To stay longer, Tucker will have to win the May primary and November general election.

Priest has held the office since 2001 and is going to retire Thursday after 41 years in the Clerk of Court Office.

"It has been a joy to be a judge and serve our citizens," Tucker said. "I feel very blessed to be able to expand that service as your clerk of Superior Court."

Tucker said she thought long and hard about whether to change jobs.

"I've been grateful to touch lives as a District Court judge, and I've always done the best I could to solve problems," Tucker said. But with the new role, "I realized how many more people I could touch in this community that I love, as clerk."

The county clerk oversees a staff of 82 who keep records for criminal and civil courts, estates, adoptions and other legal matters.

Ammons said he and Chief District Court Judge Beth Keever interviewed 15 candidates. They have worked with Tucker for more than 20 years.

"I am truly saddened by the loss of her as one of our most experienced and thoughtful District Court judges," Keever said, but she looks forward to seeing Tucker lead the clerk's office. She praised Tucker's organizational, management, team-building and problem solving skills.

Tucker plans a small, private swearing-in ceremony Friday so she can start her work, and a ceremonial public ceremony in the next few weeks.

Gov. Pat McCrory will appoint Tucker's replacement to the District Court bench.

Staff writer Paul Woolverton can be reached at woolvertonp@fayobserver.com or 486-3512.

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